Dale Brumfield
Contributing Writer
In late 1967, a new experiment in learning called “Free University” began appearing in various cities both as free-standing institutions and extensions of existing urban universities.
The first Free University, on the University of Southern California-Berkeley campus, grew out of 1964’s free speech movement. The concept spread first to other West Coast, midwest and northern state campuses before heading east. At the peak in 1970 there were 110 free universities across the U.S.
Free universities offered subjects that were based solely on student interest and not part of any formal university curriculum. They had no accreditation, gave no grades, charged minimal or no fees and had no formal faculty members.
In September 1969, just after RPI became VCU, the Students for Liberal Government received a $2,275 grant from the VCU Student Government contingency fund to form their own Free University, organized by Russ Clem with headquarters at 725 W. Broad St. in Richmond (today the Empire). The scheduled courses listed in the first fall bulletin included Hypnosis, Creativity, Blues Guitar Workshop, Emotional Hangups, Poetry, Theater, Print Shop and Photography. All classes started at 7 p.m. so as not to interfere with day classes.
Any Richmond resident could take any F.U. class for $2, or purchase a “red card” for $20 that included registration to as many classes as desired. It also included twelve admissions to the Friday and Saturday night performances at the Performing Arts Center at 313 N. Laurel St., and admission to five of the 12 F.U.-sponsored films, which included the John Lennon film “How I Won the War” and Norman McLaren’s indie film “McLaren’s Wild Objects,” among others.
Although many Free University curricula were leftist politically, Richmond’s F.U. remained politically neutral, offering courses that focused on craft, skill or interpersonal awareness. Classes met wherever there was space. The class “Emotional Hangups” was featured in an undated Richmond Times-Dispatch clipping, showing a handful of students in a spartan room seated on makeshift benches and even on the floor. A lit cigarette can be seen in teacher Reid Cornwell’s hand.
Richmond poet Rik Davis taught a poetry class at F.U. while he was a VCU sophomore English major, and Richmond African-American journalist Barry Barkan taught a hypnosis class that at least once was “clothing optional.” Former activist Bruce Smith said he clearly recalls walking past the room to see a handful of nude students inside.
By March 1970, Free University ceased operations, citing a standing debt of about $2,200 and a general lack of interest. The main reason for the debt, according to the March 4, 1970 issue of the Commonwealth Times, was the Free University’s own tabloid news magazine, the Richmond Chronicle. The Chronicle absorbed $1,400 of the original $2,275 grant, leaving little money to fund classroom space and make necessary infrastructural improvements to the buildings and classrooms. The Chronicle continued to publish biweekly in the same building for about five months after F.U. closed.
Later that year, a rummage sale and a benefit concert with a band called Steel Mill (featuring a long-haired guitarist named Bruce Springsteen) secured enough funds to pay off the university’s debt.